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Manchester United center back Harry Maguire has been handed an FA suspension ahead of the upcoming Premier League fixture against Chelsea, following allegations that he directed the phrase "f-----g joke" at match officials during last month's draw with Bournemouth.
Maguire received his marching orders in the final stages of the Bournemouth encounter after conceding a penalty deemed to have denied a clear goalscoring chance. Tensions had already been running high after United's own penalty appeal for a foul on Amad Diallo had been waved away moments before.
Referee Stuart Attwell included in his post-match incident report to the FA that Maguire had "approached" fourth official Matthew Donohue "to protest the decision" as he made his way off the field.
The specifics were outlined in Donohue's own independent report: "In the 78th minute of the game, referee Stuart Attwell sent off Manchester United #5 Harry Maguire. After the VAR check was complete, Maguire, as he was leaving the field of play, approached me and shouted, 'You're a joke. You're all a f-----g joke.' I am reporting the matter to the Football Association for further review."
What Rule Did Harry Maguire Break?
The FA's regulation E3.1, which sits at the heart of this matter, governs the conduct of players and staff. It was under this rule that Maguire faced charges, in addition to the red card he had already received and the automatic suspension that came with it.
The regulation reads: "A Participant shall at all times act in the best interests of the game and shall not act in any manner which is improper or brings the game into disrepute or use any one, or a combination of, violent conduct, serious foul play, threatening, abuse, indecent or insulting words or behavior."
Maguire Denies Targeting Match Officials
Maguire chose not to appear at the disciplinary hearing and ultimately accepted the charge, resulting in an additional one-match ban and a fine. However, a statement submitted on his behalf offered his own account of what transpired.
"I did not use abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official or any other Match Official," he stated.
"As I left the field of play following my dismissal, I said something along the lines of 'it is a f-----g joke.' I am certain that I did not call the fourth official or any match official, a joke or use any other form of insult."
A corroborating witness statement from Manchester United teammate Joshua Zirkzee was also submitted. The Dutch striker said he did "not recall exactly what Harry said, but I recall that it was something along the lines of 'it is a joke' or 'what a joke.'" Zirkzee was "confident that Harry did not call the fourth official or any other Match Official a joke."
That account was subsequently presented to Donohue, who conceded it was possible he "misheard or mis-recollected" being personally singled out as a "joke" by Maguire. "I wouldn't be able to respond to this with certainty," he acknowledged.
Nevertheless, the fourth official maintained his position that Maguire had said "You're all a f-----g joke" in reference to the officiating team. "I do remember hearing with clarity and remember thinking that the comment was aimed collectively at the group of officials. I would be prepared to say with certainty that these words were said."
The FA ultimately ruled in favor of Donohue and the match officials on the "balance of probability," noting that both Maguire and Zirkzee, despite broadly denying the allegation, acknowledged in their statements that they could not recall the precise words used.
When Maguire Will Return From Suspension
Maguire will be absent for Saturday evening's trip to Stamford Bridge, where Manchester United take on Chelsea in a fixture that could go a long way toward securing Champions League football next season — or leave the club's European ambitions hanging by a thread.
Having already sat out the Leeds United match earlier this week due to the original red-card ban, the England international center back is set to be available again for Brentford's visit to Old Trafford on Monday, April 27.
With Maguire unavailable and Lisandro Martínez also serving a suspension following his violent conduct red card against Leeds, United face a significant defensive headache. Matthijs de Ligt remains on the treatment table, leaving Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven as the only fit center-back options.